Video: Marcus McGraw talks defense after Georgia State win

The Houston Cougars posted their first shutout in 12 years on Saturday in a 56-0 win over Georgia State. The last UH shutout came on Sept. 18, 1999 against Louisiana-Lafayette (45-0). Senior linebacker Marcus McGraw talks about the shutout and the defense as a whole. McGraw had an interception with 4:24 remaining in the third quarter when Georgia State made its only red zone trip of the night. The pick ended the drive and preserved the shutout.

Speaking of that pick, McGraw was sitting out that drive until the Panthers got inside the UH 10 for the first time that night. McGraw was standing on the sidelines confident that his group would get the stop but at the same time, was just itching to get in the ballgame.

“I was on the sidelines and I was saying ‘C’mon guys, c’mon,’ and when coach told me to go in, I said ‘Yes!'” McGraw said. “To get the interception was great. If Everett (Daniels) was in there, it probably would have been his interception. It was great just to get a turnover (and preserve the shutout)…..The player I am, I love to be in that situation.”

McGraw said once they got the turnover, the defense could sense that the shutout was going to happen.

“After withstanding that push, everybody wanted to finish that game off with a goose egg.”